Potential Magazine Fall 2015 - Georgia Edition | Page 32

college 101

test drive majors

Start Smart

The Start Point program lets high-school students “test drive”
college courses while still at home.

The fear of not knowing what will happen after graduation can
turn the end of high school into a stressful time for many. And
with so little background and experience, it can be a challenge
for a high school student to make the right decisions about their
future. But thanks to the Start Point program, juniors and seniors
can “test drive” college courses while still completing their high
school curriculum. Designed to make the short transition
between high school and college easier, this program helps
students make a more informed decision when choosing a major.

While attending online courses, students are able to build a
rapport with teachers and faculty through the program, find a
mentor and become prepared for campus life and the level of
academic study that awaits them at college.

And that’s important. When enrolling in college, many
students select a major that appeals to them at the time, but
end up switching majors as their interests change. This costs
them valuable time and can cost serious money if they have to
stay in school longer to complete the required classes.
Start Point lets students enroll in college classes
and take online courses in their desired major
before graduation. It provides the opportunity
to dive into a future possible career before
leaving high school. Students can map out
their future by choosing courses that match
their career goals and personal interests.
“The benefit to ‘test driving’ a future career
and college curriculum while still living at
home is that you gain college credits toward
a future degree,” said Wesley Riddle, Associate
Dean of Online Learning at Waldorf College.
“If you take a few classes through the Start Point
program and decide the career path you chose
doesn’t interest you anymore, then you haven’t lost
anything because you have transferable credits.”

Up to

70%

of college students change their
majors at least once. Most will change
their majors at least three times